Delhi's National Medical Library becoming a relic

NO INFORMATION? Despite having excellent study material, the library is in a dilapidated state.

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New Delhi: Bad information facilities and ugly sanitation horrors---this is the condition of India’s premiere National Medical Library.

Set up in 1966, the library situated next to AIIMS in South Delhi, is fast becoming a relic full of various problems for the students.

“None of the computers work. It is terrible for outstation doctors who come for a single day,” says MBBS, IGMC Simla, Dr Harpal Singh Malhotra.

“They say Rs 50 lakh was spent on toilets, but not even Rs 50,000 has been spent,” says MBBS, JNMC Raipur, Dr Imran Gafoor.

“The only drinking water machine in the library leaks most of the time. Doctors have to depend on an unhygienic water system in the backyard canteen,” says Dr Gafoor.

Fire extinguishers in the library are either missing or past their due date, posing a severe risk for the thousands of rare medical books. And adding to the problem is a cramped reading room and inconvenient library hours.

“Most doctors work for the whole day so they need to keep it open for 24 hours. Students have to line up outside gate from 0400 hrs (IST), as there is no space inside. Many have to study outside,” says MBBS, MS Gulbarga, Dr Majid Ahmed Talikoti.

Compounding these problems is the alleged indifference of library staff.

Over 50 doctors had recently posted a signature protest to the director, but these voices have so far gone unheard.

“It is a very painful situation that even after many years the doctors have given to the service, they are not given a permission like this,” says resident Docs Assoc, AIIMS, President, Dr Harsh Kumar.

When contacted, the Director refused to comment on the issue.